as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Recent Examples of bystanders
Video shared by a witness from the scene showed emergency responders attempting to crack open the plane’s windshield as authorities and bystanders assisted several people out of the burning aircraft.
—
Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Three bystanders — Yamile Martinez, 21; Johntaya Alexander, 21; and Melinda Davis, 57, also were killed in the seconds after the shooting started, unable to escape the barrage.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
Some bystanders were attempting life-saving measures when the Chesterton police and fire departments arrived.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
But she was saved by three bystanders who yelled out, scaring him off and chasing him through the park, sources said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
The video shows one person lying motionless in the street as one of the officers stands back up and bystanders gather around.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Other bystanders helped the pair back to shor, where Ferguson and others applied tourniquets.
—CBS News, 13 June 2026
Some of the victims were intentionally targeted, but the majority were innocent bystanders, Kapszukiewicz said.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Three bystanders — Yamile Martinez, 21; Johntaya Alexander, 21; and Melinda Davis, 57, also were killed in the seconds after the shooting started, unable to escape the barrage.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
Some bystanders were attempting life-saving measures when the Chesterton police and fire departments arrived.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
But she was saved by three bystanders who yelled out, scaring him off and chasing him through the park, sources said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
The video shows one person lying motionless in the street as one of the officers stands back up and bystanders gather around.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Other bystanders helped the pair back to shor, where Ferguson and others applied tourniquets.
—CBS News, 13 June 2026
Some of the victims were intentionally targeted, but the majority were innocent bystanders, Kapszukiewicz said.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Once down, bystanders quickly rushed to his aid.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
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In his decade-long career, he’s often been heckled and cursed at by spectators during domestic matches.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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The exchange also cut into spectators and platforms.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
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But there's a new wrinkle that makes forecasting this election a bit trickier than in years past, observers say.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three games.—
Mark Anderson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Gutierrez said the jury would not privilege any particular documentary form, but would prioritize works that communicate genuine emotion and connect with viewers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
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New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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